Suppressor assembly for a firearm

ABSTRACT

A suppressor assembly attachable to a firearm is disclosed. The firearm may include a barrel and a muzzle end. The suppressor assembly may include a gas block positioned about the barrel, an outer tube attached to the gas block, and a baffle attached to the muzzle end. The baffle may push against the outer tube to compress the outer tube and apply tension to the barrel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The disclosure claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 62/261,994, filed Dec. 2, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure generally relates to a firearm and more particularly relates to a suppressor assembly for a firearm.

BACKGROUND

Suppressor assemblies are configured to compensate for the various effects of firing a projectile (such as a bullet) from a firearm. Some of the effects include, but are not limited to, muzzle jump, muzzle recoil, muzzle blast, muzzle flash, and/or vibrations. For example, muzzle jump and muzzle recoil can adversely impact accuracy by altering the position of the firearm after each shot. Muzzle blast is the loud noise that generally accompanies the discharge of a firearm. Muzzle blast can damage the ears of the operator or nearby individuals not wearing ear protection and can bring unwanted attention in instances of covert use. Muzzle flash is the bright flash that generally accompanies the discharge of a firearm. Muzzle flash can adversely affect vision and draw unwanted attention to the use of the firearm. Excessive vibrations can impact the mechanical integrity of the firearm.

SUMMARY

Some or all of the above needs and/or problems may be addressed by certain embodiments of the suppressor assembly for a firearm disclosed herein. According to an embodiment, the suppressor assembly is attachable to a firearm. The firearm may include a barrel and a muzzle end. The suppressor assembly may include a gas block positioned about the barrel, an outer tube attached to the gas block, and a baffle attached to the muzzle end. The baffle may push against the outer tube to compress the outer tube and apply tension to the barrel.

Other features and aspects of the disclosure will be apparent or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and the detailed description. All other features and aspects, as well as other system, method, and assembly embodiments, are intended to be included within the description and are intended to be within the scope of the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and/or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments. Elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably.

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a firearm with a suppressor assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of a suppressor assembly attached to a firearm in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of a suppressor assembly attached to a firearm in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts an upper perspective view of a suppressor assembly attached to a firearm in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts an upper perspective view of a gas block in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts an upper perspective view of an outer tube in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 depicts an upper perspective view of a baffle in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram depicting an illustrative method for attaching a suppressor assembly to a firearm in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

Described below are embodiments of a suppressor assembly (as well as individual components of the suppressor assembly) that can be attached to a firearm. Methods of installing and using the suppressor assembly on the firearm are also disclosed. The firearm may be a conventional firearm. For example, the firearm may be an M-16 style rifle, an AR-15 style rifle, an AR-10 style rifle, or an M-4 style rifle, among others. Any firearm may be used. The suppressor assembly may be configured to reduce the muzzle jump, muzzle recoil, muzzle blast, and/or muzzle flash generated by the firing of the firearm by slowing, expanding, trapping, and/or cooling the propellant gases associated with the firing of the firearm.

Generally speaking, the suppressor assembly may include an outer tube, a gas block, and a baffle. In certain embodiments, the outer tube may include an elongated hollow body having a first end and a second end. The first end may be configured to be attached to the gas block. For example, the first end may include internal threads that correspond to external threads on the gas block. In this manner, the first end of the outer tube may be screwed onto the gas block. The second end of the outer tube may include a front edge that is configured to abut a lip on the baffle.

The gas block may be positioned about a barrel of the firearm along a longitudinal length of the barrel. For example, the gas block may be attached to the barrel and spaced apart from a muzzle end of the barrel. In some instances, the gas block may include one or more gas ports in communication with a bore of the barrel. In addition, the gas block may be in fluid communication with a gas tube. In this manner, a portion of the propellant gasses may travel from the barrel, through the gas block, and into the gas tube. As noted above, the gas block may include external threads. The external threads on the gas block may be configured to mate with the internal threads on the first end of the outer tube. In this manner, the gas block may be configured to be attached to the first end of the outer tube. For example, the first end of the outer tube may be screwed onto the gas block.

In certain embodiments, the baffle may comprise a monocore baffle. That is, the baffle may be a single unibody assembly. The baffle may include a first end (e.g., an entry end) and a second end (e.g., an exit end). The second end of the baffle may include a lip. The lip may be configured to abut and compress against the front edge of the outer tube. The first end of the baffle may be attached to the muzzle end of the barrel. For example, the first end of the baffle may include internal threads that correspond to external threads on the muzzle end of the barrel. In this manner, the first end of the baffle may be screwed into the muzzle end of the barrel, thereby securing the baffle within the outer tube. The baffle may also include a bore configured to receive a projectile therethrough. The bore may extend between the first end of the baffle and the second end of the baffle. That is, the bore may extend through a longitudinal axis of the baffle.

As assembled, the first end of the outer tube can be attached to the gas block, and the first end of the baffle can be attached to the muzzle end of the barrel. The outer tube may form a chamber about at least a portion of the barrel of the firearm. In this manner, as the baffle is screwed (i.e., tightened) onto the muzzle end of the barrel, the lip at the second end of the baffle may engage and push against the front edge at the second end of the outer tube, which may place a compressive load on the outer tube. Similarly, as the baffle is screwed (i.e., tightened) onto the muzzle end of the barrel, the section of the barrel that extends past the gas block may be placed under tension, thereby reducing barrel vibrations caused by firing the firearm. The propellant gases associated with the firing of the firearm may be expanded, slowed, trapped, and/or cooled by the baffle and within the chamber. The propellant gases may then exit the suppressor assembly via the exit end of the baffle. As a result, the muzzle jump, muzzle recoil, muzzle blast, and/or muzzle flash generated by the firing of the firearm may be reduced or substantially eliminated.

These and other embodiments of the disclosure will be described in more detail through reference to the accompanying drawings in the detailed description of the disclosure that follows. This brief introduction, including section titles and corresponding summaries, is provided for the reader's convenience and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims or the proceeding sections. Furthermore, the techniques described above and below may be implemented in a number of ways and in a number of contexts. Several example implementations and contexts are provided with reference to the following figures, as described below in more detail. However, the following implementations and contexts are but a few of many.

Illustrative Embodiments

FIGS. 1-7 depict a suppressor assembly 100 (as well as individual components of the suppressor assembly 100) that can be attached to a firearm 102 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The firearm 102 may be a conventional firearm. By way of example, the firearm 102 may be any number of firearms, such as, but not limited to, an M-16 style rifle, an AR-15 style rifle, an AR-10 style rifle, or an M-4 style rifle, or the like. Moreover, the firearm 102 may be a handgun, a shotgun, or the like. As depicted in FIG. 1, the firearm 102 may generally include an upper receiver 104. The upper receiver 104 generally houses internal components of the firearm 102. The firearm 102 also generally includes a hand guard assembly 106 positioned at least partially about a barrel. The barrel extends from the upper receiver 104 along a longitudinal axis and may be secured or otherwise mounted to the upper receiver 104 using, for example, a flanged barrel extension with apertures, or a barrel nut or the like. The hand guard assembly 106 also may extend from the upper receiver 104 and may be secured or otherwise mounted to the upper receiver 104. In some instances, the hand guard assembly 106 may include a rail system 108 or the like. The rail system 108 may be configured to attach a number of accessories to the hand guard assembly 106. In other instances, the hand guard assembly 106 and/or the rail system 108 may be omitted.

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the suppressor assembly 100 attached to the barrel 110 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. In certain embodiments, the firearm 102 may include a barrel 110, a bore 112, and a muzzle end 114. As noted above, the barrel 110 may extend from the upper receiver 104 along a longitudinal axis and may be secured or otherwise mounted to the upper receiver 104. The bore 112 may extend through the center of the barrel 110 along the longitudinal axis. The distal end of the barrel 110 may form the muzzle end 114 of the firearm 102. The muzzle end 114 may include external threads 115.

As depicted in FIG. 2-4, the suppressor assembly 100 may generally include an outer tube 116, a gas block 118, and a baffle 120. The outer tube 116, the gas block 118, and the baffle 120 may be configured to individually or collectively expand, slow, trap, and/or cool the propellant gases associated with the firing of the firearm 102. In some instances, the suppressor assembly 100 may be positioned about the barrel 110 and may be at least partially positioned within the hand guard assembly 106.

In certain embodiments, the gas block 118 may be positioned about the barrel 110. For example, the gas block 118 may be positioned about and attached to the barrel 110 at any location between the upper receiver 104 and the muzzle end 114 of the firearm 102. The gas block 118 may be attached to the barrel 110 by any means known in the art, such as, but not limited to, welded, screwed, bolted, pressure fitted, etc. In some instances, the gas block 118 may include one or more gas ports 122 in fluid communication with the bore 112 of the barrel 110. In addition, the gas block 118 may be in fluid communication with a gas tube 124 via the one or more gas ports 122. In this manner, a portion of the propellant gasses may travel from the barrel 110, through the gas block 118, and into the gas tube 124. The diverted portion of the propellant gases may be delivered to the upper receiver 104 via the gas tube 124. The gas block 118 may include external threads 126.

The outer tube 116 may include a first end 128 and a second end 130. The first end 128 of the outer tube 116 may be configured to be attached to the gas block 118. For example, the external threads 126 on the gas block 118 may be configured to mate with internal threads 132 on the first end 128 of the outer tube 116. In this manner, the gas block 118 may be configured to be attached to the first end 128 of the outer tube 116. For example, the first end 128 of the outer tube 116 may be screwed onto the gas block 118. Other attachment configurations between the outer tube 116 and the gas block 118 are also possible including, but not limited to, welding, pressure fitting, snapping-on, bolting, etc., the outer tube 116 to the gas block 118.

The second end 130 of the outer tube 116 may be configured to extend beyond the muzzle end 114 of the barrel 110 of the firearm 102. In this manner, the outer tube 116 may form a chamber 134 about at least a portion of the barrel 110 of the firearm 102. The chamber 134 may also extend at least partially beyond the muzzle end 114 of the firearm 102. The gas block 118 may form an end cap of the chamber 134. The other end of the chamber 134 may be closed off by the front face of the baffle 120. The second end 130 of the outer tube 116 may include a front edge 136 that is configured to abut and compress against a lip 138 at the front of the baffle 120. In some instances, the lip 138 may be omitted. In such instances, the baffle 120 may sit flush against the outer tube 116 or “float” within the outer tube 116.

The baffle 120 may comprise a monocore baffle. That is, the baffle 120 may be a single unibody assembly. The baffle 120 may include a first end 140 (e.g., an entry end) and a second end 142 (e.g., an exit end). The second end 142 of the baffle 120 may include the lip 138. The lip 138 may extend partially or fully about a circumference of the second end 142 of the baffle 120. The lip 138 may be configured to abut and push against the front edge 136 of the outer tube 116. As noted above, the lip 138 may be omitted. The first end 140 of the baffle 120 may be attached to the muzzle end 114 of the barrel 110. For example, the first end 140 of the baffle 120 may include internal threads 144 that correspond to the external threads 115 on the muzzle end 114 of the barrel 110. In this manner, the first end 140 of the baffle 120 may be screwed into the muzzle end 114 of the barrel 110, thereby securing the baffle 120 within the outer tube 116. Other attachment configurations between the baffle 120 and the muzzle end 114 of the barrel 110 are also possible including, but not limited to, welding, pressure fitting, snapping-on, bolting, etc., the baffle 120 to the muzzle end 114 of the barrel 110. The baffle 120 may also include a bore 146 configured to receive a projectile therethrough. The bore 146 may extend between the first end 140 of the baffle 120 and the second end 142 of the baffle 120. That is, the bore 146 may extend through a longitudinal axis of the baffle 120.

The first end 128 of the outer tube 116 can be attached to the gas block 118, and the first end 140 of the baffle 120 can be attached to the muzzle end 114 of the barrel 110. The outer tube 116 may form a chamber 134 about at least a portion of the barrel 110. In this manner, as the baffle 120 is screwed (i.e., tightened) onto the muzzle end 114 of the barrel 110, the lip 138 at the second end 142 of the baffle 120 may engage and push against the front edge 136 at the second end 130 of the outer tube 116, which may place a compressive load on the outer tube 116. Similarly, as the baffle 120 is screwed (i.e., tightened) onto the muzzle end 114 of the barrel 110, the section of the barrel 110 that extends past the gas block 118 may be placed under tension, thereby reducing barrel vibrations caused by firing the firearm 102. The propellant gases associated with the firing of the firearm 102 may be expanded, slowed, trapped, and/or cooled by the baffle 120 and within the chamber 134. The propellant gases may then exit the suppressor assembly 100 via the exit end (i.e., a second end 142) of the baffle 120. As a result, the muzzle jump, muzzle recoil, muzzle blast, and/or muzzle flash generated by the firing of the firearm 102 may be reduced or substantially eliminated.

The suppressor assembly 100 may be configured to reduce the muzzle jump, muzzle recoil, muzzle blast, muzzle flash, and/or vibrations generated by the firing of the firearm 102. That is, the suppressor assembly 100 may slow, expand, trap, and/or cool the propellant gases associated with the firing of the firearm 102. For example, a portion of the propellant gases may be initially diverted by the gas block 118 and delivered to the upper receiver 104 via one or more gas tubes or the like. The remainder of the propellant gases may exit the muzzle end 114 of the firearm 102 into the baffle 120 and the chamber 134. The propellant gases may then exit the suppressor assembly 100 by way of the exit end (i.e., the second end 142) of the baffle 120.

Illustrative Methods

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram depicting an illustrative method 200 for attaching the suppressor assembly 100 to the firearm 102 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

At block 202 of method 200, the gas block 118 may be attached to the barrel 110. That is, the gas block 118 may be positioned about the barrel 110 of the firearm 102 along the longitudinal length of the barrel 110. For example, the gas block 118 may be positioned about the barrel 110 at any location between the upper receiver 104 and the muzzle end 114 of the firearm 102.

Upon positioning the gas block 118 about the barrel 110 at block 202, the outer tube 116 may be attached to the gas block 118 at block 204. That is, the first end 128 of the outer tube 116 may be attached to the gas block 118. For example, the first end 128 of the outer tube 116 may include internal threads 132 that correspond to the 126 external threads on the gas block 118. In this manner, the first end 128 of the outer tube 116 may be screwed onto the gas block 118.

After the outer tube 116 has been attached to the gas block 118 at block 204, the baffle 120 may be positioned within the outer tube 116 and attached to the muzzle end 114 of the barrel 110 at block 206. For example, the first end 140 of the baffle 120 may include internal threads 144 that correspond to the external threads 115 on the muzzle end 114 of the barrel 110. In this manner, the first end 140 of the baffle 120 may be screwed into the muzzle end 114 of the barrel 110, thereby securing the baffle 120 within the outer tube 116. As the baffle 120 is screwed (i.e., tightened) onto the muzzle end 114 of the barrel 110, the lip 138 at the second end 142 of the baffle 120 may engage and push against the front edge 136 at the second end 130 of the outer tube 116, which may place a compressive load on the outer tube 116. Similarly, as the baffle 120 is screwed (i.e., tightened) onto the muzzle end 114 of the barrel 110, the section of the barrel 110 that extends past the gas block 118 may be placed under tension, thereby reducing barrel vibrations caused by firing the firearm 102.

Although specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described, numerous other modifications and alternative embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure. For example, any of the functionality described with respect to a particular device or component may be performed by another device or component. Further, while specific device characteristics have been described, embodiments of the disclosure may relate to numerous other device characteristics. Further, although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments. Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A suppressor assembly attached to a firearm, the firearm having a barrel and a muzzle end, the suppressor assembly comprising: a gas block positioned about the barrel; an outer tube attached to the gas block; and a baffle attached to the muzzle end.
 2. The suppressor assembly of claim 1, further comprising a chamber formed at least partially between the barrel of the firearm and the outer tube, and wherein the gas block forms an end cap of the chamber.
 3. The suppressor assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer tube comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the outer tube is attached to the gas block, and wherein second end of the outer tube comprises a front edge.
 4. The suppressor assembly of claim 3, wherein the baffle comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the baffle comprises a lip, wherein the lip is configured to abut and push against the front edge of the outer tube as the baffle is tightened onto the muzzle end of the barrel to place a compressive load on the outer tube and place the barrel between the gas block and muzzle end under tension.
 5. The suppressor assembly of claim 4, wherein the first end of the baffle may include internal threads that correspond to external threads on the muzzle end.
 6. The suppressor assembly of claim 3, wherein the first end of the outer tube comprises internal threads that correspond to external threads on the gas block so that the first end of the outer tube is screwed onto the gas block.
 7. The suppressor assembly of claim 3, wherein second end of the outer tube extends beyond the muzzle end.
 8. The suppressor assembly of claim 1, wherein the gas block is attached to the barrel and spaced apart from the muzzle end.
 9. The suppressor assembly of claim 1, wherein the baffle comprise a monocore baffle.
 10. A suppressor assembly attached to a firearm, the firearm having a barrel and a muzzle end, the suppressor assembly comprising: a gas block attached to the barrel and spaced apart from the muzzle end; an outer tube comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the outer tube is attached to the gas block, and wherein second end of the outer tube comprises a front edge that extends past the muzzle end; and a baffle comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the baffle is attached to the muzzle end.
 11. The suppressor assembly of claim 10, further comprising a chamber formed at least partially between the barrel of the firearm and the outer tube, wherein the gas block form one end of the chamber and the baffle forms the other end of the chamber.
 12. The suppressor assembly of claim 10, wherein the first end of the baffle may include internal threads that correspond to external threads on the muzzle end.
 13. The suppressor assembly of claim 10, wherein the first end of the outer tube comprises internal threads that correspond to external threads on the gas block so that the first end of the outer tube is screwed onto the gas block.
 14. The suppressor assembly of claim 10, wherein the baffle comprise a monocore baffle.
 15. The suppressor assembly of claim 10, wherein the second end of the baffle comprises a lip that pushes against the front edge of the second end of the outer tube to compress the outer tube and apply tension to the barrel between the gas block and the muzzle end.
 16. The suppressor assembly of claim 15, wherein the lip extends about the circumference of the baffle.
 17. A method for incorporating a suppressor assembly into a firearm, the firearm having a barrel and a muzzle end, the method comprising: attaching a gas block about the barrel; attaching an outer tube to the gas block; and attaching a baffle to the muzzle end, wherein the baffle pushes against the outer tube to compress the outer tube and apply tension to the barrel.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the outer tube comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the outer tube is attached to the gas block, and wherein second end of the outer tube comprises a front edge.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the baffle comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the baffle comprises a lip, wherein the lip is configured to abut and push against the front edge of the outer tube as the baffle is tightened onto the muzzle end of the barrel to place a compressive load on the outer tube and place the barrel between the gas block and muzzle end under tension.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the gas block is attached to the barrel and spaced apart from the muzzle end. 